🚗 Heading to a hockey tryout or evaluation? Take a deep breath — this Ride to the Rink is exactly what you need to hear.

Evaluations can bring out a lot of emotions: excitement, nerves, pressure, and sometimes even fear. But the truth is, a great tryout isn’t about doing something flashy or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about preparation, mindset, and showing coaches the best version of YOU.

In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, the guys break down how young hockey players should approach tryouts — from the days leading up to the evaluation, to how you carry yourself on the ice, and even how you handle the results afterward.

The biggest lesson? Control what you can control: your effort, your attitude, your preparation, and your response to adversity. Coaches notice those things more than any fancy move.

And remember — one evaluation will never define your hockey journey.

🏒 In This Episode, We Talk About:

• How to prepare 24–48 hours before a tryout
• The simple preparation mistakes that can hurt players at evaluations
• The difference between motivation and anxiety
• Why trying to “stand out” the wrong way can backfire
• The importance of playing your own game
• Why versatility (not just one position) can impress coaches
• What coaches really notice when players make mistakes
• The powerful story of a player who earned a roster spot through pure effort
• How to respond if you don’t make the team you hoped for
• Why your reaction to results says more about you than the tryout itself

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:
A player who works hard, stays positive, and keeps growing will always stand out over time. Tryouts are just one moment — your attitude and effort over the long run are what truly define you.

So whether you're heading into a big evaluation today or just thinking about the next season ahead, remember why you started playing in the first place.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Right Mindset for Hockey Tryouts and Evaluations

Have fun. Skate hard. And believe in yourself.

#TheRideToTheRink #YouthHockey #HockeyTryouts #HockeyMindset #YouthSports #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyPa

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Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace.

And their March offer is huge:
50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.

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🏒 Hockey tryout season is here… and for many families, that means nerves, pressure, and a lot of unanswered questions.

What are coaches actually looking for?
How are teams really selected?
And what should parents and players focus on when the stakes feel high?

In this annual Our Kids Play Hockey Tryout Episode, hosts Lee Elias, Christie Casciano-Burns, and Mike Bonelli break down the reality of youth hockey evaluations — from both the parent perspective and the coach’s perspective.

This episode takes you behind the scenes of team selection, giving families practical advice on how to navigate tryout season with the right mindset.

Spoiler alert: It’s not just about goals and assists.

The hosts dive into what coaches truly value at the youth level — including attitude, work ethic, teamwork, and development potential — and why the team your child makes should be based on where they’ll grow the most, not just the letters on the jersey.

They also tackle some of the biggest misconceptions around youth hockey tryouts, including why most coaches already have a good sense of players long before evaluations begin.

Most importantly, this conversation reminds parents and players that tryouts are just one moment in a long hockey journey.

🏒 In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why tryouts shouldn’t define your player’s hockey future
• The biggest mistakes parents make during evaluation season
• What coaches are actually evaluating at the 10U level
• Why development matters more than team labels
• How coaches think about building a balanced roster
• The importance of environment, attitude, and team culture
• What players should focus on to stand out for the right reasons
• How parents can support their kids without adding pressure

💡 The Message for Players

Be the hardest worker on the ice.

That’s advice shared by Olympian Hayley Scamurra and echoed throughout this episode. Effort, attitude, and love for the game are the things coaches notice most.

💬 The Message for Parents

Before your child walks into tryouts, remember the three things they really need to hear:

❤️ I love you no matter what happens out there.
🏒 I love watching you play.
💪 Work hard, have fun, a

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽

Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace.

And their March offer is huge:
50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.

Or go all in with

Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!

Follow Us On Social Media:

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🏒 You asked… and the mailbag is back!

In this special Our Girls Play Hockey Mailbag Episode, hosts Lee and Mike sit down with professional hockey player Hayley Scamurra to answer rapid-fire questions straight from young players, parents, and coaches around the hockey world.

From game-day meals and pregame routines to scoring goals, getting faster, and handling the fear of missing out during the offseason, Hayley shares real insight into what life looks like as a pro — and what young athletes can learn from it.

Along the way, the crew dives into topics like why most goals come from the “dirty areas” in front of the net, why taking breaks from hockey is essential for development, and how the little details — like creating time and space for teammates — make players truly valuable.

Whether you're a young player dreaming of the pros, a parent navigating development decisions, or a coach looking for insight from the highest levels of the game, this episode delivers practical advice straight from the source.

🏒 Highlights from This Episode

• 🍳 What Hayley Scamurra actually eats on game day
• 🧠 How pro players mentally prepare before hitting the ice
• 🏃 Why speed is the most important skill in hockey
• 🎯 Where most goals really come from (hint: it’s not highlight-reel shots)
• 👊 The underrated skill of creating time and space for teammates
• ⚽ Why playing multiple sports helps long-term development
• 🛑 Why even pro players believe kids need breaks from hockey
• 🚌 What life is like traveling internationally as a professional hockey player
• 🎉 Why team bonding and road trips matter more than you think

💬 Have a question for the next mailbag?
Email the team at team@ourkidsplayhockey.com
or use the link in the show description to send your question.

📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: The Mailbag Episode Every Young Hockey Player Should Hear: Hayley Scamurra Answers Youth Hockey Questions

#OurGirlsPlayHockey #GirlsHockey #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #WomenInSports #HayleyScamurra #HockeyParents #HockeyTraining #GirlsInSports

Click To Text The Our Kids Play Hockey Team!

Our Kids Play Hockey is powered by NHL Sense Arena! 🏒🥽

Trusted by our kids! Trust it with yours! Trusted at the NHL level through youth hockey, Sense Arena uses VR and mixed reality to build hockey IQ, confidence, and decision-making for skaters and goalies at their own pace.

And their March offer is huge:
50% off an annual plan compared to paying monthly, plus a free hockey training ball, free Green Biscuit, and free shipping.

Or go all in with

Have A Topic You Want Us To Cover? Let us know!

Please Be Sure To Subscribe & Leave A Review For Us On Apple Podcasts, doing so helps our show grow!

Follow Us On Social Media:

• Facebook Group
• X
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• YouTube